Universal Stainless Reports Significantly Improved Q2 2017 Results


  • Q2 Sales of $52.6 Million, Up 7.6% Sequentially, and Up 28.2% vs. Q2 2016
  • Net Income in Q2 Totals $1.2 Million, or $0.17 per Diluted Share 
  • EBITDA in Q2 Increased to $7.3 Million, Up 74.0% Sequentially, and Up 69.4% vs. Q2 2016
  • Quarter-End Backlog of $63.5 Million, Up 11.2% Sequentially, and Up 64.8% vs. Q2 2016

BRIDGEVILLE, Pa., July 26, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:USAP) today reported strong sales growth including record premium alloy sales and a return to bottom-line profitability in the second quarter of 2017.  Results for the second quarter of 2017 included sequential and year-over-year increases in net sales and backlog, as well as in gross margin, net income and EBITDA.

Net sales for the second quarter of 2017 were $52.6 million, up 7.6% sequentially, and up 28.2% compared with the second quarter of 2016.  All end markets made substantial contributions to the year-over-year growth, while sequential growth was driven by aerospace, power generation and heavy equipment sales, which increased 8.6%, 12.7% and 16.4%, respectively.  In the second quarter of 2017, aerospace represented 55.1% of total sales. 

Sales of premium alloys in the second quarter of 2017 reached a record $6.8 million, or 12.9% of sales, compared with $5.8 million, or 11.9% of sales, in the first quarter of 2017, and $3.8 million, or 9.2% of sales, in the second quarter of 2016.

For the first six months of 2017, sales increased 25.9% to $101.5 million from $80.6 million in the same period of 2016.  Sales of premium alloys increased 60.7% to $12.6 million, or 12.4% of sales, in the first half of 2017, versus $7.8 million, or 9.7% of sales, in the first half of 2016.

The Company’s gross margin for the second quarter of 2017 was $7.2 million, or 13.6% of sales, a substantial increase from $4.2 million, or 8.7% of sales, in the first quarter of 2017, and $4.3 million, or 10.6% of sales, in the second quarter of 2016.  Gross margin in the second quarter of 2017 benefited from the realization of manufacturing productivity savings, improved operating leverage, as well as a more favorable product mix. 

For the second quarter of 2017, SG&A was $4.5 million, or 8.6% of sales, compared with $4.7 million, or 9.7% of sales, in the first quarter of 2017, and $4.6 million, or 11.2% of sales, in the 2016 second quarter.

The Company achieved net income of $1.2 million, or $0.17 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2017, compared with a net loss of $1.2 million, or $0.17 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2017, and a net loss of $0.8 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2016.

For the first half of 2017, the Company was breakeven on a net income basis versus recording a net loss of $3.2 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, in the first half of 2016. 

The Company’s EBITDA for the second quarter of 2017 improved substantially to $7.3 million, an increase of $3.1 million, or 74.0%, sequentially, and was up $3.0 million, or 69.4%, compared with the second quarter of 2016.

Backlog (before surcharges) at June 30, 2017 was $63.5 million, up 11.2% from March 31, 2017, and up 64.8% from the end of the 2016 second quarter. 

The Company’s debt was $77.7 million at June 30, 2017, compared with $74.5 million at March 31, 2017, reflecting additional working capital required to support increased business activity.  Capital expenditures for the second quarter of 2017 were $1.7 million, compared with $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2017 and $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2016.

Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Oates commented: “The recovery that began in the first quarter of 2017 continued to show traction in the second quarter, with business and plant activity levels strong and our sales growing both sequentially and year-over-year. Premium alloy sales reached a new record reflecting our progress in advancing the transformation of Universal Stainless through our focus on faster growth in value-added premium alloys.  That progress, combined with further cost improvements, led to a step-change in our gross margin, which is at the highest level since 2014.  As a result, we saw a decisive return to bottom-line profitability in the quarter, with net income of $0.17 per diluted share, as well as substantial growth in EBITDA.

“As we enter the third quarter and second half of the year, business conditions and demand remain positive with continued strength in our order entry and backlog.”

Webcast

The Company has scheduled a conference call for today, July 26, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern) to discuss second quarter 2017 results.  A simultaneous webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.univstainless.com, and thereafter archived on the website through the end of the third quarter of 2017.  

About Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc., headquartered in Bridgeville, PA, manufactures and markets semi-finished and finished specialty steels, including stainless steel, nickel alloys, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. The Company's products are used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, power generation, oil and gas, and heavy equipment manufacturing. Established in 1994, the Company, with its experience, technical expertise, and dedicated workforce, stands committed to providing the best quality, delivery, and service possible. More information is available at www.univstainless.com.

Forward-Looking Information Safe Harbor

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks include, among others, the concentrated nature of the Company’s customer base to date and the Company’s dependence on its significant customers; the receipt, pricing and timing of future customer orders; changes in product mix; the limited number of raw material and energy suppliers and significant fluctuations that may occur in raw material and energy prices; risks related to property, plant and equipment, including the Company’s reliance on the continuing operation of critical manufacturing equipment; risks associated with labor matters; the Company’s ongoing requirement for continued compliance with laws and regulations, including applicable safety and environmental regulations; the ultimate outcome of the Company’s current and future litigation and matters; risks related to acquisitions that the Company may make; and the impact of various economic, credit and market risk uncertainties. Many of these factors are not within the Company’s control and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance suggested herein.  Any unfavorable change in the foregoing or other factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.  Further, the Company operates in an industry sector where securities values may be volatile and may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond the Company’s control.  Certain of these risks and other risks are described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over the last 12 months, copies of which are available from the SEC or may be obtained upon request from the Company

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes discussions of financial measures that have not been determined in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).  These measures include earnings (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and Adjusted EBITDA.  We include these measurements to enhance the understanding of our operating performance.  We believe that EBITDA, considered along with net earnings (loss), is a relevant indicator of trends relating to cash generating activity of our operations.  Adjusted EBITDA excludes the effect of share-based compensation expense and other non-cash generating activity such as impairments and the write-off of deferred financing costs. We believe excluding these costs provides a consistent comparison of the cash generating activity of our operations.  We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors as they facilitate a comparison of our operating performance to other companies who also use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental operating measures.  These non-GAAP financial measures supplement our GAAP disclosures and should not be considered an alternative to the GAAP measures.  These non-GAAP measures may not be entirely comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies due to potential differences among calculations methodologies.  A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP is included in the tables that follow.

-TABLES FOLLOW -


UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Information)
(Unaudited)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
  
  Three months ended  Six months ended 
  June 30,  June 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Net Sales                    
Stainless steel $ 37,156  $ 30,172  $ 72,190  $ 59,449 
High-strength low alloy steel   3,418    3,784    7,590    7,563 
Tool steel   8,665    4,305    15,722    8,207 
High-temperature alloy steel   2,901    1,626    4,877    3,266 
Conversion services and other sales   467    1,143    1,103    2,139 
                     
Total net sales   52,607    41,030    101,482    80,624 
                     
Cost of products sold   45,441    36,691    90,071    74,944 
                     
Gross margin   7,166    4,339    11,411    5,680 
                     
Selling, general and administrative expenses   4,499    4,591    9,228    8,429 
                     
Operating income (loss)   2,667    (252)   2,183    (2,749)
                     
Interest expense   1,020    887    1,959    1,870 
Deferred financing amortization   64    61    128    888 
Other (income) expense   (14)   39    (20)   92 
                     
Income (loss) before income taxes   1,597    (1,239)   116    (5,599)
                     
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   369    (437)   107    (2,357)
                     
Net income (loss) $ 1,228  $ (802) $ 9  $ (3,242)
                     
Net income (loss) per common share - Basic $ 0.17  $ (0.11) $ 0.00  $ (0.45)
Net income (loss) per common share - Diluted $ 0.17  $ (0.11) $ 0.00  $ (0.45)
                     
Weighted average shares of common                    
stock outstanding                    
Basic   7,219,423    7,196,891    7,217,943    7,179,746 
Diluted   7,360,137    7,196,891    7,333,106    7,179,746 
                     
                     
MARKET SEGMENT INFORMATION 
                     
  Three months ended  Six months ended 
  June 30,   June 30, 
  2017  2016   2017   2016 
Net Sales                    
Service centers $ 37,382  $ 29,817  $ 70,111  $ 57,331 
Original equipment manufacturers   4,756    3,395    8,878    7,690 
Rerollers   5,259    3,281    11,812    6,496 
Forgers   4,744    3,394    9,578    6,968 
Conversion services and other sales   466    1,143    1,103    2,139 
                     
Total net sales $ 52,607  $ 41,030  $ 101,482  $ 80,624 
                     
Tons shipped   10,090    8,313    20,421    15,884 
                     
MELT TYPE INFORMATION 
                     
  Three months ended  Six months ended 
  June 30,  June 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Net Sales                    
Specialty alloys $ 45,371  $ 36,108  $ 87,776  $ 70,644 
Premium alloys *   6,770    3,779    12,603    7,841 
Conversion services and other sales   466    1,143    1,103    2,139 
                     
Total net sales $ 52,607  $ 41,030  $ 101,482  $ 80,624 
                     
END MARKET INFORMATION ** 
                     
  Three months ended  Six months ended 
  June 30,  June 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Net Sales                    
Aerospace $ 28,995  $ 26,293  $ 55,687  $ 51,659 
Power generation   4,774    3,427    9,008    6,924 
Oil & gas   4,814    2,834    9,703    6,179 
Heavy equipment   8,948    4,371    16,633    8,404 
General industrial, conversion services and other sales   5,076    4,105    10,451    7,458 
                     
Total net sales $ 52,607  $ 41,030  $ 101,482  $ 80,624 
                     
* Premium alloys represent all vacuum induction melted (VIM) products.           
                     
**The majority of our products are sold to service centers rather than the ultimate end market customers. The end market information in this press release is our estimate based upon our knowledge of our customers and the grade of material sold to them, which they will in-turn sell to the ultimate end market customer. 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
           
  June 30,  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Assets          
           
Cash $ 97  $ 75 
Accounts receivable, net   29,030    19,437 
Inventory, net   100,140    91,342 
Other current assets   4,237    2,729 
           
Total current assets   133,504    113,583 
Property, plant and equipment, net   177,408    182,398 
Other long-term assets   64    64 
           
Total assets $ 310,976  $ 296,045 
           
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                                                                                                  
           
Accounts payable $ 29,129  $ 19,906 
Accrued employment costs   3,253    3,803 
Current portion of long-term debt   4,675    4,579 
Other current liabilities   1,051    898 
           
Total current liabilities   38,108    29,186 
Long-term debt   73,013    67,998 
Deferred income taxes   16,757    17,629 
Other long-term liabilities   12    12 
           
Total liabilities   127,890    114,825 
Stockholders’ equity   183,086    181,220 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 310,976  $ 296,045 
           
  


           
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW 
           
  Six months ended 
  June 30, 
  2017  2016 
           
Operating activities:          
Net income (loss) $ 9  $ (3,242)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   9,365    9,147 
Deferred income tax   (16)   (2,365)
Write-off of deferred financing costs   -    768 
Share-based compensation expense   971    684 
Net gain on asset disposals   -    (349)
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable, net   (9,614)   (2,350)
Inventory, net   (9,798)   (2,141)
Accounts payable   8,655    6,140 
Accrued employment costs   (550)   186 
Income taxes   117    265 
Other, net   (752)   19 
           
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities   (1,613)   6,762 
           
Investing activities:          
Capital expenditures   (3,068)   (1,736)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment   -    1,571 
           
Net cash used in investing activities   (3,068)   (165)
           
Financing activities:          
Borrowings under revolving credit facility   158,180    131,030 
Payments on revolving credit facility   (150,830)   (152,298)
Borrowings under term loan facility   -    30,000 
Payments on term loan facility, capital leases, and convertible notes   (2,751)   (15,171)
Payments of deferred financing costs   -    (702)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock   104    500 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   4,703    (6,641)
           
Net increase (decrease) in cash   22    (44)
Cash at beginning of period   75    112 
           
Cash at end of period $ 97  $ 68 
  
 


RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA 
                      
   Three Months ended  Six Months ended 
   June 30,  June 30, 
   2017  2016  2017  2016 
                      
Net income (loss)  $ 1,228  $ (802) $ 9  $ (3,242)
Interest expense    1,020    887    1,959    1,870 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes                                        369    (437)   107    (2,357)
Depreciation and amortization    4,648    4,641    9,365    9,147 
EBITDA    7,265    4,289    11,440    5,418 
Share-based compensation expense    437    279    971    684 
Write-off of deferred financing costs    -    -    -    768 
Adjusted EBITDA  $ 7,702  $ 4,568  $ 12,411  $ 6,870 
                      

            

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